Picked up Izzy, all went well. Grabbed her crate for the car, drive to my home was fine. She hopped out of the car and ran up to the door, greeted the boys and excitement was in the air.
Our routine..first the boys have to go out, since they have been in the house for 5 hours, Izzy went out with them, since I had planned ahead and had a rope for her as well as Otto.
Then time for lunch. I fed Izzy as well as there is no way she could watch while the boys eat.
All dogs devoured their food. Then it was time for Otto and Izzy to do a little chasing.
I cleaned up and put away a few things when I saw something on the carpet. Oh no, was it?? yes, one of the dogs, had stepped in some poop when they were outside and brought it into the house, the path was the one Otto and Izzy had just created as they ran around the furniture. Wonderful, so as I went to get my Bissel carpet cleaner, I thought geez, it really stinks back here, and I went to the back door to find a nice little (well not so little at all) poop pile on the rug. This had to be Izzy's since the dogs do not use the back door. Ok, everyone back outside as I clean up, open the windows to get some fresh air in here.
After that was completed, dogs back in, and I did a load of wash, only to find Izzy had found a napkin and a cardboard coaster, which both were now shredded and all over the floor. After I cleaned this up, I noticed I had only been home an hour. Bandit was hiding upstairs, Bo and Otto were exhausted on the couch and Izzy was jumping around barking trying to get them to play.
There is a little jealousy, as each dog tries to me near me. Bo and Otto tolerate Izzy when she jumps on them, but every once in a while there is a growl, followed by a tail wag. Neither has her energy and it doesn't take much to wear them out.
Right now, as I type this, I have been home about 2 1/2 hours, Bo is sleeping on my left foot, Izzy on my right foot, and Otto is curled up next to me on the couch. One big happy family!
I am sure after a few times doing this, Izzy will learn the routine. She will know when the older dogs want to play and when they want some alone time. She will learn NOT to check out any of the other dogs bowls while they are eating. She will understand all dogs can drink at the same time from the water bowls, kind of like a jungle watering hole. She will figure out when they all go out, its to pee and poop, then back in for a treat. I will not leave any napkins, newspapers or paper coasters within her reach.
Day one was very hectic, but I know over time it will be just like a walk in the park...BUT BTW, I won't ever be taking four dogs for a walk in the park. I may be nuts to take care of four dogs but I am not crazy!
